Method for retaining objects in a container

ABSTRACT

A method for maintaining several objects or vessels in a packing, wherein the said objects are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of a plate of cardboard or other material forced onto the said objects and having regularly spaced perforations, each of which receives at least a part of an object, the said plate being located parallel to the plane containing the bases of the packed objects.

United States Patent Picq [451 Aug. 1, 1972 METHOD FOR RETAINING OBJECTS IN A CONTAINER Patrice Picq, Beaurepaire, France Assignee: Aluminium Suisse SA Filed: Sept. 19, 1969 Appl. No.: 859,493

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 20, 1968 Switzerland ..l4204/68 US. Cl. ..53/26, 53/38, 29/208 B, 29/464 Int. Cl ..B65b 35/00, B65b 6l/22 Field of Search ..53/3, 26, 48, 393, 38, 157, 53/35, 49; 206/65 E; 294/872; 29/208 B,

Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spruill AttorneyRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel .l. Lobato [5 7] ABSTRACT A method for maintaining several objects or vessels in a packing, wherein the said objects are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of a plate of cardboard or other material forced onto the said objects and having regularly spaced perforations, each of which receives at least a part of an object, the said plate being located parallel to the plane containing the bases of the packed objects.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATE NTEDM I I97? I 3.680.279

' sum 1 or 3 I METHOD FOR RETAINING OBJECTS IN A CONTAINER This invention relates to a method and apparatus for retaining objects in a container.

The retaining of packed objects, such as vessels, during transportation in boxes or packings may present serious problems. Thus, it is not possible to simply arranged bottles side by side in a box or in apacking in order to avoid shocks which might cause the bottles to break. A similar problem occurs in the transport of other vessels of glass, metal or synthetic resin. In all these cases, contact between the vessels must be prevented, either in order to prevent their destruction, or to preserve labels or advertising material glued to or imprinted on them in a good condition. I-Iitherto, this object has been realized by various means, for example, by fitting the box or packing with partitions or divisions fixed to or added to the enclosure. Another known solution consists in wrapping each object in a separate container or film of synthetic resin. However, all these solutions have certain draw-. backs either in their costs, or in their aesthetic appearance or in that they do not lend themselves to an automation of the packing process.

The invention proposes a method for retaining in a packing several objects, such as vessels, permitting them to be kept separate from each other at low cost. The method according to the invention may be carried out automatically so that the price can be further reduced. I

The present invention consists in a method for maintaining several objects or vessels in a packing, wherein the said objects are maintained in spaced apart relationship by means of a plate of cardboard or other material forced onto the said objects and having regularly spaced perforations, each of which receives at least a part of an object, the said plate being located parallel to the plane containing the bases of the packed objects.

The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method, permitting the fitting of the said plate or sheet by automatic means on to the objects or vessels to be packed and the final fitting of the plate. Finally, the invention concerns packings ensuring the holding of vessels packed according to the invention, using at least one such perforated plate.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a certain number of vessels packed according to the method of the invention in a container, the front wall of which has been removed;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a perforated plate;

FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically a device for carrying out automatically the placing into position of the perforated plate on the vessels;

FIG. 4 shows a partial, diagrammatical view of the plate at the level of one of its perforations at the instant when the pusher or driver makes contact;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the same plate with the pusher or driver at the end of its stroke;

FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically the plate in position on-a vessel with threaded neck;

FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically the plate in position on the neck of a bottle;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are three diagrammatic views of a device for fitting the plate. so have FIGS. 1 and 2 shows round or circular vessels 1, wherein a part of each vessel, for example, its neck, engages in the orifices 3 of a perforated plate 4 of cardboard or any other suitable material. It can be seen that the vessels 1, retained in this way in a carton or packing 5, cannot be damaged under the effects of shocks or vibrations so that there is no possibility of their surfaces deteriorating. Where the objects or vessels 1 have a substantial height, it is possible to mount a second perforated plate at their base or in any other position so that the objects are reliably retained in spaced apart relationship from each other.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

It is possible to mount the objects to be packed, for example, aerosol containers 6, in the orifices of the perforated plates 4. However, the perforated plate 4 may also be mounted automatically. A device for carrying this out comprises a base 7 having individual cavities for each vessel 6. The bases 7, arranged, for example, on a chain, not shown, which may be endless, pass underneath a platform 8, equipped with a certain number of pushers or drivers 9 arranged opposite the apertures of the vessels 6 and the orifices 3 of the plate 4 placed on these vessels. The platform 8, which slides in the direction of the arrow f by means of columns 9a passing through fixed guides 10, is actuated by a spindle 11 which is controlled by means well known in the art. Starting and cut-out contacts for the travel and safety cut-outs may be provided to control the movement of the platform 8 accurately. Abutments 9 are provided, comprising on the one hand a collar 12 which fits around each orifice 3 in the plate 4, and on the other hand a center head 13 which enters into the orifice of the vessel 6 to retain the same in position during the simultaneous descent of the collar 12. The plate 4 remains engaged under the flange 14 of the neck of the vessel 6, after the descent and subsequent rise of the platform 8.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the case of a packing for a threaded neck 15 as shown, the plate 4 is mounted underneath the thread, for example, in a groove 16. The plate may also be located by the subsequent fitting of the stopper or cap, screwed onto the neck 15.

In the case of a bottle 17 (FIG. 7), the plate 4 can be pushed into a groove 18 of the neck. In the case of objects or vessels of perfectly cylindrical shape, the plate 4 may be located under slight friction at any desired level.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show an arrangement intended for the automatic removal of objects, for example, aerosol containers 1, retained by a carton plate 4.

The arrangement comprises a table 19 over which can pass a pusher plate 20 under the action of a jack, to permit the removal of containers 1 which have fallen on to the table, in the direction of a feed table of a processing machine.

Above the table 19, there are a certain number of parallel, horizontally disposed, plates 21, the spacing between which is adjustable so that each plate may be mounted between two rows of aerosol containers 1, without regard to their dimensions. A spindle 22, mounted horizontally and perpendicularly to the plates 21, is arranged above these plates and carries a certain number of rings or collars 23, the radius of which is slightly larger than the distance which separates the plate 4 from their geometrical axes. When a relative movement is caused between the plate 4 and the spindle 22, the rings or collars 23 roll along each row and rest on the necks 24 which are thereby ejected outside the plate 4 and the containers 1 fall back on the table 19. The relative movement may be obtained by displacing the spindle 22, located at its two ends in two bearings 25 sliding along an endless control spindle 26. It is also possible for the spindle to cause the plate 4 to move without translation of the spindle.

Obviously, the operation of this device may be automated and an electrical arrangement may be provided for starting the forward movement of the ejector plate when the collars 23 have traversed their travel and all envelopes have been removed.

I claim:

l. A method of packing a plurality of like containers each having a neck portion with an annular recessed portion of reduced diameter spaced from the outer end of the neck portion and an enlarged portion of greater diameter than said recessed portion below said recess and a second enlarged portion between said recessed portion and the outer end of said neck portion, providing a plate of semi-rigid, yielding resilient material'having a plurality of regularly arranged holes spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the cross sectional dimension of said containers, each said hole being smaller than said enlarged portions of said neck portion of each said container and of a size to receive said reduced portion, positioning said containers a distance equal to the spacing of said holes in said plate, inserting a centering instrumentality through each said hole and into the neck portion of each said container positioning and holding each container in registry with a hole in said plate and applying pressure to said plate around each said hole to force said plate over said enlarged portion of said neck portion by elastic deformation of the material of said plate surrounding said hole and continuing said pressure to bring the plate to a position in which said recessed portion of said neck portion is received in said hole, said containers being thereby interlocked with each said plate and held securely in place in selected spaced position and thereby being held against movement either upwardly or downwardly with respect to said plate.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of said containers are supported and positioned by a base having recesses for receiving said containers.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which said containers are positioned and said pressure is applied by a plurality of instrumentalities mounted on a platform which is movable toward said base, each of said instrumentalities have a portion to enter and thereby center the neck of a container relative to the respective hole in said plate and a portion engaging said plate around said hole to apply pressure to said plate when said platform is moved toward said base.

4. A method of packing a plurality of like containers each having a neck portion with an annular recessed portion of reduced diameter spaced from the outer end of the neck portion and an enlarged portion of greater diameter than said recessed portion between said recessed portion and the outer end of said neck portion, said containers having removable closure caps filllv lll a glfilfiilt fille Sili'ilihhiiifilbfifiih apart from one another a distance greater than the cross sectional dimension of said containers, each said hole being smaller than said enlarged portion of said neck portion of each said container and of a size to receive said reduced portion, positioning said containers a distance equal to the spacing of said holes in said plate, positioning and holding each container in registry with a hole in said plate and applying pressure to said plate around each said hole to force said plate over said enlarged portion of said neck portion by elastic deformation of the material of said plate surrounding said hole and continuing said pressure to bring the plate to a position in which said recessed portion of said neck portion is received in said hole, said containers being thereby interlocked with each said plate and held securely in place in selected spaced position, and thereafter securing said closure caps on said neck portions of said containers, thereby further securing said containers to said plate. 

1. A method of packing a plurality of like containers each having a neck portion with an annular recessed portion of reduced diameter spaced from the outer end of the neck portion and an enlarged portion of greater diameter than said recessed portion below said recess and a second enlarged portion between said recessed portion and the outer end of said neck portion, providing a plate of semi-rigid, yielding resilient material having a plurality of regularly arranged holes spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the cross sectional dimension of said containers, each said hole being smaller than said enlarged portions of said neck portion of each said container and of a size to receive said reduced portion, positioning said containers a distance equal to the spacing of said holes in said plate, inserting a centering instrumentality through each said hole and into the neck portion of each said container positioning and holding each container in registry with a hole in said plate and applying pressure to said plate around each said hole to force said plate over said enlarged portion of said neck portion by elastic deformation of the material of said plate surrounding said hole and continuing said pressure to bring the plate to a position in which said recessed portion of said neck portion is received in said hole, said containers being thereby interlocked with each said plate and held securely in place in selected spaced position and thereby being held against movement either upwardly or downwardly with respect to said plate.
 2. A method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of said containers are supported and positioned by a base having recesses for receiving said containers.
 3. A method according to claim 2, in which said containers are positioned and said pressure is applied by a plurality of instrumentalities mounted on a platform which is movable toward said base, each of said instrumentalities have a portion to enter and thereby center the neck of a container relative to the respective hole in said plate and a portion engaging said plate around said hole to apply pressure to said plate when said platform is moved toward said base.
 4. A method of packing a plurality of like containers each having a neck portion with an annular recessed portion of reduced diameter spaced from the outer end of the neck portion and an enlarged portion of greater diameter than said recessed portion between said recessed portion and the outer end of said neck portion, said containers having removable closure caps providing a plate of semi-rigid, yielding resilient material having a plurality of regularly arranged holes spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the cross sectional dimension of said containers, each said hole being smaller than said enlarged portion of said neck portion of each said container and of a size to receive said reduced portion, positioning said containers a distance equal to the spacing of said holes in said plate, positioning and holding each container in registry with a hole in said plate and applying pressure to said plate around each said hole to force said plate over said enlarged portion of said neck portion by elastic deformation of the material of said plate surrounding said hole and continuing said pressure to bring the plate to a position in which said recessed portion of said neck portion is received in said hole, said containers being thereby interlocked with each said plate and held securely in place in selected spaced position, and thereafter securing said closure caps on said neck portions of said containers, thereby Further securing said containers to said plate. 